For more than 20 years, the Racing Against Drugs (RAD) committee has been bringing together first responders with community awareness groups to educate Grade 5 students on the dangers of smoking and doing drugs and alcohol.
Using hands-on methods, RAD Chair Amanda Wyatt said the week-long event is meant to reach Grade 5 students and educate them before they face choices and peer pressure.
“It’s a prime age and opportunity to reach the kids. They aren’t in high school yet and we try to hit them with the knowledge they need to make wise choices,” Wyatt said.
There are 14 stations set up for the kids to experience, including a simulator brought in by the Chatham-Kent OPP to show what happens during a vehicle roll-over, and another that showed what happens if you don’t have your seat belt on.
Mad Science was on hand with a demonstration of how smoking affects your body, the RCMP brought in remote control cars for racing, and EMS, Chatham-Kent police and fire personnel were also on hand to help.
Wyatt said they get help from the Chatham Kent Health Unit, Block Parents and Drug Education Alliance (DEA), as well as the Superstore and Restorative Justice.
Teaching kids in an interactive manner is something Wyatt said is good for kids who experience learning in different ways.
“Some kids need a visual learning method and some kids need hands on, so it works for everyone,” Wyatt added.
The RAD committee works all year long to fundraise for the yearly event, and Wyatt said they appreciate the support they get from emergency services personnel, community organizations and a DEA grant.
